A few years ago most were building 450 sized quads, because components were huge and stuff didn't fit smaller frames, then we witnessed miniquad boom - 1806, 2204 motors, later substituted mostly by 2205/2206 size + motors designed for the smallest craft. Some 2207, 2208 or even exotic (2008) motors start appearing.

And now TBS teased their instagram followers with a post regarding what seems to be a motor designed for 7" endurance flight (tagged #7inchendurance). Will 300-330mm frames be the new category? Will we see new competitions?

What are your thoughts?

I am not as well versed about this as most on this forum however, my two cents.....  This sport is in it's infancy and the sky (pun intended) is the limit.  As the technology advances, I think you're going to see rapid changes not only is the equipment and parts available, but in the number of suppliers. As more suppliers open businesses, the competition will drive prices down (slowly, but they will fall).

To Konrad's question, it is my belief that you will not only see different classes of competition, but competitions will become more common.  This may sound a bit far fetched, but I can see a new class in....we'll call it "duration flying" if there isn't something like that already.  Who's quad can be flown the furthest and return safely.  There are some logistical and potential safety problems with that, but they will get solved.  Thats just one example, the possibilities are just about endless.

Just as with anything that is growing and evolving, there will be hurdles that will have to be jumped, it's to be expected, but the bottom line is that this sport has grown and evolved so much already that I don't see it slowing down anytime soon and as I said, the possibilities are endless.

My 4 cents worth, I think the whole quad/mini quad scene is going where each individual pilot wants it to go for them

Perhaps those serious pilots who enter competitions etc will go with the flow at any given time and be more or less forced to change, whereas us individuals who fly for ourselves will not really care what happens so long as we get our daily, weekly whatever fix.

I went from a 450 myself to a 250 and now pretty much fly 210's to 130 class, and I like these sizes the best..for me.

There is a huge market for our cousins the Aerial Video guys and girls who may get more out of a larger quad, but I think for a lot of us the 250 and under class are the sweet spots . just my 4 cents.

(09-Aug-2016, 01:45 PM)BigglesFPV Wrote: My 4 cents worth, I think the whole quad/mini quad scene is going where each individual pilot wants it to go for them

Perhaps those serious pilots who enter competitions etc will go with the flow at any given time and be more or less forced to change, whereas us individuals who fly for ourselves will not really care what happens so long as we get our daily, weekly whatever fix.

I went from a 450 myself to a 250 and now pretty much fly 210's to 130 class, and I like these sizes the best..for me.

There is a huge market for our cousins the Aerial Video guys and girls who may get more out of a larger quad, but I think for a lot of us the 250 and under class are the sweet spots . just my 4 cents.

Well said.

I think the "pro pilots" will eventually use whatever gives the most power, and allowed in the race...
On the other hand... I hate to see the whole multirotor industry is so focus on racing... i know it's the reason why development has been pushed so much further and quicker... but racing just isn't my cup of tea... I like chasing other quads but just not a fan of competing in formal events... might as well play computer games IMO LOL

I agree, racing has it's place, and as much as I like free styling many others prefer racing, all boils down to personal taste, but racing is not for me either, chasing is heaps of fun, when just zooming around the skies.

(10-Aug-2016, 01:49 PM)Oscar Wrote: On the other hand... I hate to see the whole multirotor industry is so focus on racing...

That's exactly what I was thinking, I like fast flights, but when I see how some top pilots fly, I know I just don't fit there - too much stress and it stops to be fun I sometimes feel uptight even after watching this craziness (that doesn't stop WOW factor    ). But if some kind of team endurance race or show will be an actual competition - hell why not? More variety means everyone can find something for himself

(10-Aug-2016, 02:06 PM)Konrad Stepanajtys Wrote: That's exactly what I was thinking, I like fast flights, but when I see how some top pilots fly, I know I just don't fit there - too much stress and it stops to be fun I sometimes feel uptight even after watching this craziness (that doesn't stop WOW factor    ). But if some kind of team endurance race or show will be an actual competition - hell why not? More variety means everyone can find something for himself

well said.

as for me, I think this whole thing all started when people figured out that they can strap their GoPro to a quad and make amazing videos. but people are amazing, and someone thought wouldn't it be cool if they could add a vtx and get real time video, and actually fly the quad like you're sitting it. but as humans, we are never satisfied. we wanna go faster, further, and higher. I think the reason why quad racing is a more popular platform is because it's brings excitement to the hobby. and competing has been around since the beginning of time. but at least now we're not executing the loser. so as far as where I see this going, it's already going mainstream. it's going to get a lot bigger now that major corporations like Mountain Dew and ESPN are getting involved. will that take the fun out it? hell no. it's just going to make every kid and kid at heart want a race quad.

My question is what will happen to the average pilot if the hobby really "takes off" as a sport with bigger and bigger commercial racing?
So far we have seen some attempts at huge events, but the sport is still at a very early stage of development. Its hard to tell what "drone racing" will look like in 10 to 20 years time, maybe we will see a larger divide in hobbyists not interested in formal racing, and those who treat it as a serious sport.

Maybe something like what sirdude mentioned =

(09-Aug-2016, 12:35 PM)sirdude Wrote: but I can see a new class in....we'll call it "duration flying" if there isn't something like that already.  Who's quad can be flown the furthest and return safely.  There are some logistical and potential safety problems with that, but they will get solved

Either way, we can look forward to faster quads, higher res video, longer battery life etc... I say bring on the future of FPV!